Mountains are Calling - Part7
Mountains are Calling - Part7
It had been more than 2 years since we had gone on a trip to the mountains. Hence we planned this trip to the mountains. Read about how we planned the Trip here.
Reaching Noida, from where we had to start our journey to the hills, became an ordeal in. itself. Later on 30th October we started our journey and reached Haldwani. We enjoyed our journey to Haldwani. Enjoying the way and various stoppages in between was really fun. Read here.
On 31st we started our journey to Pithoragarh, it being my maiden driving experience in the hills we travelled via Hills and Valleys and enjoyed every bit of it. We travelled via Bhimtal, Padampuri, Paharpani, Saharphatak, Lamgara (Read here), Suakhan, Danya, Panar Bridge, Ghat, Gurna Mata Temple, Igyar Devi, Pithoragarh to finally reach Wadda (Read here). As we reached Wadda saw Ramayan being enacted even after Dussehra, read more about this tradition and more about people in the hills here. As we started living the Mountain Village Life at Wadda, we started living the ways the locals lived, hence started going on Morning Walks. During our Morning Walks we explored Hudkana. We also explored Bhavani Dhana during one of our evening hikes, Read here.
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| Chaumu Devta Temple - Wadda |
Wadda - Living the Mountain Village Life Contd...:
As we started living at Wadda, we also started to know about the local traditions and religious beliefs. We visited many local religious places where the locals visit to worship the local Deity and seek their blessings. We learned that every village has a village Deity, every Family or Clan has a Family or Clan Deity and then we have Deities who are worshipped by a large number of people in a region. We also realized that in synch with the beliefs of having a village/family Deity we have Temples dedicated to these village/family Deities. Then we have Temples which are worshipped by everyone. We explored Chaumu Devta Temple and Kailash Ashram which affirmed the concept of village/family Deity and general Temple complexes, they are summarized as under.
Chaumu Devta Temple - Chaupakhya Festival (Mela), Wadda:
Chaumu Devta Temple is around 2 km from Wadda Bazaar. Chaumu Devta is the chief Deity of the Rayansi village. The Deity has four faces hence the name Chaumu, meaning four faces in local language. We were told by the locals that Chaumu Devta is believed to be local God of the Shepherd community of Kumaon. The Deity is believed to be the saviour of all the cattle entering the grazing lands. The Deity has a lot of following in the Saur Valley and the adjoining areas of Nepal.
The Temple is surrounded by grounds which collectively form the Temple Complex. The temple complex is full of coniferous trees. The Temple has beautiful idols of the Deity which is well known across the region.
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| Chaumu Devta Temple- Chaupakhya Mela - Wadda |
Every year during the Ashwin Navratris (i.e. in the months of September-October), on Navmi, a big fair or Mela is celebrated at the Temple Complex which is known as the Chaupakhya Mela or the Chaupakhya Festival.
During the Mela, Chaumu Devta is carried in a palanquin in a religious procession. The palanquin is circled around the Temple. People dance and sing amidst drumbeats. Huge numbers of people gather during this festival from adjoining areas and Nepal. It is believed if the Deity becomes happy he will guard the locals & the local areas and save the people from calamities, giving them good crops as well.
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| Chaumu Devta Temple- Chaupakhya Festival - Wadda |
After the procession it is believed that the Deity enters the body of the shaman. As soon as this happens the shaman starts dancing. The shaman then listens to the problems of the people, gives them the reasons for it and offers solutions to them. The shaman bestows his blessings of Chaumu Devta to the devotees. Flowers and rice is offered to the devotees.
Locals prepare for the Mela for a long time. During the Mela, farming equipment are sold. Locally handmade wooden ploughs are most sought after and are sold in large numbers. Makeshift shops sells sweets, toys etc. as well. The Mela runs until dusk.
Kailash Ashram, Wadda:
Kailash Ashram is located near Wadda. This is a place surrounded by dense coniferous forests. The surroundings of the Ashram offer soul nourishing experience. A small river also flows in the vicinity of the Ashram.
When we visited the place the approach road to the Ashram was, broken, slippery and out of shape but the atmosphere, calmness and serenity at the Ashram was worth the effort of driving to the Ashram. Actually there are two ways to reach the places and both the ways have astounding views.
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| Kailash Ashram - Lord Shiva Temple - Wadda |
Locals told us that the Ashram has historical significance as well as the Ashram is believed to have been built during the rule of Chand Dynasty. It is believed to be more that 200 hundred years old.
It is believed the the then rulers built all the Deity idols by their hands.
The complex has various temples. We found temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Goddess Kali, Hanuman Ji, Shani Dev Ji, Kal Bhairon Ji etc and other Deities. There are Samadhis of various saints as well. On occasion of Shivratri a local fare is organized at the Ashram.
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| Kailash Ashram - Lord Shiva Temple Interior - Wadda |
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| Kailash Ashram - Goddess Kali Temple - Wadda |
The atmosphere here is serene and calm. The visitors are also requested to keep silence and put their mobile phones on silent mode.
The complex has a Sanskrit Vidyalaya (Sanskrit School). It has hostel facility as well. Students stay here, learn Sanskrit and study as per the Vedic Gurukul culture. The Sanskrit Vidyalaya imparts educations to the students free of cost. As the temperature of this region drops low in winters hence the Sanskrit Vidyalaya remains closed during winters and remain open during summers.
The complex also houses a Hospital that treats patients free of cost.
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| Kailash Ashram - Hanuman Ji Temple - Wadda |
We saw a few monkeys as well at the complex. One had to be cautious of their activities, as they sometimes scare kids and adults alike.
Continue Reading: Mountains are Calling - Part8...
Quick Links:
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| Kailash Ashram - Shani Dev Ji Temple - Wadda |
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